Northwest of Dallas and Decatur in the LBJ National Grasslands, the LBJ Multiuse Trail system has four loops totaling 35 miles on single and double tracks spread over 22,000 acres. The horse trails are blazed by different colors: Blue Loop (14 miles), Yellow Loop (10 miles), White Loop (14 miles), and Orange Loop (11 miles). These soft dirt trails are maintained by a local equistrian organization. MORE INFO

Northwest of San Antonio near Bandera, the 5,369 acre Hill Country State Natural Area in Texas Hill Country has a wide variety of terrain and a mixture of narrow trails and old jeep trails totaling 36 miles. The Hill Country State Natural Area is a scenic mosaic of rocky hills, flowing springs, oak groves, grasslands, and canyons. The terrain ranges from flat, broad creek bottoms to steep, rocky canyons up to 1,900 feet in elevation. There is limited drinking water along these horse trails and at trailheads. MORE INFO

North of Houston and just northeast of Conroe, the Sam Houston National Forest has 67 miles of multi-use trails. There are 2 one-way loops marked by red arrows. Since these horse trails are normally closed after rainfall to protect them, please make sure to call before riding if concerned. MORE INFO

Southwest of Ratcliff and Kennard in the Davy Crockett National Forest, the Piney Creek area has a 54 mile network of horseback riding trails through piney woods. There are 5 color-coded horse trails which can be combined to form loops. Keep in mind that the bugs are ferocious from May through August. There are two horse camps but they are not known for reliable fresh drinking water. MORE INFO

Between Houston and Austin, Lake Somerville State Park consists of two sections. The Birch Creek area has 19 miles of horse trails and the Nails Creek area has 13 miles of horse trails. The 13 mile Main Trail connects both districts horse camps by following the western shores of Lake Sommerville and Flag Pond. MORE INFO

West of Dallas/Fort Worth, the Lake Mineral Wells State Park has a sandy 12 mile multi-use trail over rolling hills through wildflowers and Texas oak with many stream crossings. The park also provides access to the Mineral Wells Trailway, a 22 mile multi-use route along an old railway from Mineral Wells to Weatherhead. MORE INFO

Near Austin, the Pedernales Falls State Park has 10 miles of rugged horse trails over rolling oak/juniper woodlands to cypress lined riverbanks. While riding in this park, make sure to watch for flash floods on the Pedernales River. MORE INFO

Southeast of El Paso and east of Presidio in the Big Bend regions, the 280,000 acre Big Bend Ranch State Park has miles of trails. Spread across some of the most remote and rugged terrain in Texas, this state park encompasses two mountain ranges containing ancient extinct volcanoes, precipitous canyons, and waterfalls. There are guided horseback rides offered at the Sauceda Ranch Headquarters with park staff guiding visitors through some of parks canyon trails. MORE INFO

Southwest of Houston and south of Richmond, the 4,900 acre Brazos Bend State Park is one of Texas most beautiful parks. Situated along the Brazos River, there are 25 miles of trails open to horseback riding through bottomland-hardwood forest and past lakes. There are gravel and paved trails. All of the horse trails are marked with brown signs. Keep an eye out for gators in the lakes! MORE INFO

East of El Paso near Salt Flat, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park has more than 80 miles of horse trails with great canyonland vistas. There are stock corrals at Dog Canyon. All stock trips must begin here. No horses are permitted in the backcountry over night. MORE INFO

East of El Paso, the Franklin Mountains State Park has 22 miles of horse trails. This is the longest mountain range in the state with a ridge about 7,000 feet. There is no water within the park and fires are not permitted. MORE INFO

Southwest of Dallas and Killeen, the Parrie Haynes Ranch has miles of equestrian trails. The Parrie Haynes Ranch is divided into two sectors known as the West Side and the East Side. The East Side unit is where most riders go since there are 25 miles of horseback riding trails. MORE INFO